Improvement in chairs



R.s.MA1Ns. Improvement in Chairs. No. 128,801Lw Patenatedjuly 9,1872. h."

@ummm PATENT y RANnoLPH'f-s. MAnvs, or Nnw YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN CHAIRS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 128,804, dated July 9, 187.2.

Specification describing a new and useful Improvement in Chairs, inventedby RAN- DoLPH AS. MAINS, of the city, county, and State of New York.

This invention relates to new and useful irnprovemen ts in chairs, whereby they are adapted to various purposes, more especially designed for studying, reading, and writin g, but not conned to such uses 5 and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinv after more fully setforth and described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a front view of the chair. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1 taken on the line Fig. 3 is a side View of the chair, showing the writing-desk and easy-chair. Figs. 4 and `5 represent the chair as an easy or reclining chair, and with and without arms, the arms beingrepresented in dotted lines in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a side View; Fig. 7 as an invalid-chair.

The above views "represent but a portion of the forms which the chairs can be made to assume, which forms or adjustments adapt it for various uses. (See recapitulation.)

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the seat, which is stationary on the frame B, the latter consisting of four legs connected together by rails inthe usual manner on three sides, and by an under bottom, C, formed of thin boards fastened to the lower edges of two opposite rails, upon which is arranged a drawer, D, the front of which, when the draw is closed, represents and supplies the place of the fourth rail. E is a still lower open or nclosed bottom, attached to the legs a short distance from the floor, having a flange, F, around it. This bottom or shelf is designed for books, charts, and other articles. G is a stationary post or pillar securely fastened to the back rail of the seat-frame, and to the ,bottom or shelf E, as seen in the drawing. H

is a brace extending from near the foot of the post Gr, at an angle of about forty-lve degrees, to the center of the under bottom C. This brace is provided with a series of adjustingholes, as seen in the drawing. To the top of the post Gis hinged the back bar I. J is an adjusting-plate on each side of the postG, which is pivoted to the hinge which connects the post with the back bar by the pintle of the hinge, or in any suitable manner. The upper ends of these adjusting-plates extend up so as to support and fasten the back bar in an upright or inclined position, as seen. This adjustment is made by means of pins passing" through the plates J and the bar. When they are thus fastened together, and the back bar is turned back-as seen, for instance, in Figs. 3 and t-the lower ends of the adj usting-platesV J J slide up on the sides of the brace H, to which they are fastened by a pin, as seen in those gures. K is the table, which is hinged to the top ofthe back bar, so that it can turn freely thereon. One side is upholstered, so as to admit the back bar into a recess, and not allow the bar to project when the back is upright or inclined. The opposite side of the table K is smooth, and may be used for a draughting-board, as the case may be. On the back edge of the back bar I is a metallic plate, N, the flanges being perforated with holes, as represented. O is a brace-rod, which is hung to the upholstered side of the table.

This rod has a hole in its lower end, and when the table is turned over and adjusted for drawing, writing, reading, or other purposes. it is supported by means of this brace, and the flanged plate N by means of a pin, as seen in Fig. 3. By this means the table may be adusted to any required angle or inclination, or horizontally, as may be required. In the latter position the table may be made to project over a bed in the sick-room, and be extremely use ful for that purpose. P represents the back of the chair, and is composed of two parts, or a head-piece, Q, is hinged to the back so that it will drop down, or may be fastened up parallel with the back, as seen in Fig. 3. In this latter position it is held by a center-bar, R, pivoted (near the top) to the back P. When the head-piece is down the bar is horizontal, but when supporting the head-piece it is turned` on its pivot and stands vertical, as seen in 'Figa 3. The adjustment of the back P is as follows: To each side ofthe back a hin ge-plate, S, is attached, which is connected with the two back legs by pivot-screws. This allows the back to turn down and the head-piece to fold under, as seen in Fig. 2. The back is supported in an upright position, as seen in Fig.- 3, by a perforated bar, U, which is hinged to the back, and another center-bar, V, pivoted to the back rail of the seat-frame. This cen- 2 lesoe ter-bar operates in connection with thehinged bar U, and is provided with a clevis at each end, which allows either end to be used, and to be fastened to the hinged bar U by :t pin, as represented.

Although I designate the part l? as the back of the chair, the various modifications and adjustments of which the chair is susceptible make the part K the back sometimes, as seen in Fig. 6, and sometimes it is zt foot-piece, as seen in Fig. 7 and, in Figs. 4 and 5, P is represented es supporting the lower limbs.

The cha-ir is susceptible of a great variety of forms and transformations. I do not, therefore, conne myself to any specific form or purpose; but design to nse it for all the pur` poses to which it may be adapted.

On the top of the table or back K a box may be placed to receive an inkstand, pen, and penoil-case, which may be sunk in the upholstering so as to he concealed by a cover. At the lower edge of the table or desk a strip will be fastened to keep books, &c., fromslidn ing oft'.

Recapitula-tion of some of the Uses of the Chair.

First, a simple chair, Figs. l, 2, and 6; sec

ond, stool and table; third, chair and table; fourth, easy-chair and table; fth, stool and desk; sixth, chair and desk; seventh, easy-chair and desk, Fig. 3; eighth, stool and readingdesk; ninth, chair and reading-desk; tenth,

easy-chair and reading-desk; eleventh, sick- Vroom table; twelfth, drawer at leftside for ink, 85e.; thirteenth, book-oase, maps, charts,

Vgte.; fourteenth,auditors desk; fteenth,easy

chair. Fig. 5; sixteenth, sofa, Fig. 4; seven teenth, invalids chair, Fig. 7.

Having thus described my invention, Iolaiin as new and desire to secure by Letters Fatent- 1. The combination of part K, plates J, and brace H with chair, as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of part P Q and centerbars V It with chair, as and for the purpose set forth.

RANDOLPH S. MAINS.

Witnesses:

T. B. Mosnnn, FRANK BLOCKLEY. 

